1997 Kia Sportage EX from North America

Summary:

Good vehicle if still under warranty

Faults:

My four wheel drive gave out two months after the original 5-year/50,000 mile warranty.

I recently received a recall notice about my seat belt latches.

My dashboard sensor to tell me that I'm running low on gas worked for about one week after purchase.

General Comments:

This Kia Sportage is the best four wheel drive vehicle I have ever driven in snow. Honestly, it is a tank. Unfortunately, the four wheel drive stopped working 2 months after the drive train warranty ended. I felt this most untimely inconvenience today shortly before being pulled out of snow by a Nissan Pathfinder, which I will mention has four wheel drive even after the warranty has expired.

Otherwise, this mini-SUV is a good vehicle for long and short trips. The gas mileage could be better, but I've had worse.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th February, 2003

1997 Kia Sportage LX from North America

Summary:

A piece of junk, not worthy of the junkyard

Faults:

On the third day that I was so happy about having a SUV 4x4, I had to return to the dealer and have the fuel sensor replaced. And again on the fourth and fifth and sixth day.

About 1 1/2 weeks of having this lovely vehicle I returned to the dealership to have the radio fixed. And of course no one knew how to reprogram the code to start the radio working again.

I again returned the very next day because the radio was not working. The radio was fixed, but the dealer could not find the code card for that radio. I finally figured out the code myself.

Approximately 2 weeks into this new car it decided to die in the middle of the road, in the driveway, at the store, but not at the dealership. I finally had the dealership pick me up from the side of the road and finally another sensor had gone out (This cost me $200.00, which was not covered under the warranty).

I thought I had finally gotten the problems fixed with my sportage only to be fooled with a blow out on my new tires, from KIA. I was on my way to the hospital with a very pregnant daughter.

On the way home from the hospital 2 days later the other front tire blew out.

Now this vehicle is sitting in my front yard with the starter out, at least that is what I am being told.

General Comments:

This SUV, if you want to call it that, is the worst vehicle I have ever owned.

It drives poorly, and the gas mileage is not anywhere near what the sticker said.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th January, 2003

1997 Kia Sportage EX 2.0 Liter from North America

Summary:

A bad deal

Faults:

Gas tank 'rusted out' at 39,000 miles; had to have everything from the gas tank to the injectors replaced. Dealer did pay for part of that mess, and gave me a loaner, besides.

Electrical items wearing out; electric windows are slow, radio buttons don't work, mirrors don't work.

Automatic transmission won't drop into passing gear.

Poor gas mileage for such a small engine.

"Check Engine" light is on, I refuse to pay the dealer $60 to have them reset it - again.

General Comments:

It was a cheap way to get a 4WD. Very cheap, poorly made, lousy quality.

Poor acceleration.

The dealer has tried to make good on the car, but I am on a first name basis with the woman in the Service Department.

I'm trying to get rid of it, but can't find a sucker to buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th May, 2002

27th Mar 2004, 13:20

Our gas tank went out at 35,000 miles, just one week out of warranty. I agree about the bad gas mileage, ours is terrible. We did find out that if the check engine light stays on, your timing belt is usually off one tooth.

27th Jul 2007, 16:18

You can reset your check engine light simply by unhooking the battery for a minute.